Lora "Pat" Vestal (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Lora Patricia (Pat) Vestal, 71, Bolivar, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, November 7, 2018 after battling complications from breast cancer. In the final days of her blessed life, Pat was surrounded in her home by her husband, daughter and two sons.
Pat was born on December 3, 1947 in Springfield, Missouri and was a graduate of Parkview High School in 1965. As a flight attendant in the late 1960’s, Pat lived in New York city, traveled the world, and logged over a million miles for Trans World Airlines.
Pat met Robert Dick (R.D.) Vestal in the summer of 1968 in Springfield, Missouri and the two were married on June 2, 1970. Pat and R.D. moved to Bolivar, Missouri in September 1970 where R.D. would take over the family farm implement business, Vestal Equipment, and where Pat would work for Missouri Telephone Company.
In 1979, Pat purchased Amber’s Children Shop in Bolivar, remaking the business to a boutique children’s clothing store and renaming the store to Frogs-N-Friends. For over twenty-five years, Pat owned and operated Frogs-N-Friends with customers from all over the region. Pat loved serving her many customers and their children, taking pride in perfectly wrapped gifts for kids’ birthday parties, holidays, first days of school, and other special occasions. Pat employed numerous women and young ladies at Frogs-N-Friends over the years and cherished their friendship and service to the business. Pat sold Frogs-N-Friends and retired in 2005 to spend more time beating her husband in their daily Scrabble games, playing bridge with girlfriends, and attending grandchildren’s ballgames, music programs, birthday parties, and other events.
Pat is survived by her husband of more than 48 years, R.D., of the home; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Brian David and wife Jennifer Vestal of St. Louis; Brady Christopher and wife Missy Vestal of Bolivar; and a daughter and son-in-law, Lora Elizabeth (Bess) and husband Corey Rich of Bolivar. Pat was called “Nana” and God generously blessed her with seven grandchildren whom she loved and cherished, William David and Samuel Charles Vestal of St. Louis; Jackson Brady, Sophia Jean, and Knox Christopher Caffey Vestal of Bolivar; and MacCaffey Patrick and Oliver David Rich of Bolivar.
As a member of Open Hearts United Methodist Church in Bolivar, Pat was a faithful servant to God, the church, and its members for over 45 years as a Sunday school teacher, VBS leader, acolyte coordinator, committee member and in many other ways. Pat loved the church and the life-long friendships developed over the years. Through the hills and valleys of life and especially in her 5-year battle with cancer, Pat was ministered to and supported by many from the Methodist church.
After her diagnosis in October 2013, Pat was blessed with loving care from CMH Central Care Center’s doctors and nurses and Pat appreciated their gentle and compassionate spirit, commitment to excellence, and passion for treating her with love and respect. During this time, R.D.’s love for his wife was demonstrated by always being by Pat’s side for countless doctor visits, treatments, surgeries, and medical appointments. R.D. was faithful to care for Pat during her battle with cancer and was her steady rock of comfort to the very end.
God also blessed Pat with friends in Bolivar almost too numerous to count. From sorority sisters, Lake Wood Hills neighbors, birthday club friends, church and business/community relationships, and many others, Pat loved and deeply cherished her Bolivar friends. These friends returned that love and support especially her during her 5-year battle with cancer sending cards, flowers, prayers, and well wishes on a daily basis. Pat’s friends cared for her as if she were family and gave her reasons to fight to the very end. The Vestal family is forever grateful for Pat’s friends and their beautiful blessing on her life in Bolivar the last 48 years.
Visitation is at Butler Funeral Home, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2018. Funeral services will be held at Open Hearts United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 10, 2018 with David Collum and Billy Russel presiding. Memorial contributions are recommended to either Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation Cancer Center Support or Open Hearts United Methodist Church of Bolivar.
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